Volt meter/oil/Head temperature gauge

[JerryHawk250]

I install my Volt meter/oil/Head temperature gauge this morning. http://www.ebay.com/itm/153043581682 Was an easy install. I took about a 30 mile trip running 50 to 60 mph. It was in the mid 80s. As you can see the max oil temperature was 136f and head temperature was 248f. Looks like the oil coolers were doing there job. I may have the head sensor mounted too close to the exhaust and may relocate it. Oil sensor replace the drain plug.

[Red Hawk]

I've been looking for this !!
Great idea, thanks.

[Megadan]

Nice. The best place for the head temp would be on the back of the head. This places it out of the wind and away from the exhaust, but I think that spot is decent given that it places the actual thermocouple inside the metal, and that is a nice thick section.

[JerryHawk250]

I drilled a hole slightly smaller than the probe and gently tapped it in. It's good and snug in there so no chance of it falling out. That's about the only area that was thick enough. I bought a heat sensor that fit on the spark plug but wouldn't work. Think I got a bad one. Checked it with my meter but zero voltage.

[Essayons]

Jerry, does it have a programmable high temp indicator? Such as an LED or buzzer?

[JerryHawk250]

Jerry, does it have a programmable high temp indicator? Such as an LED or buzzer?

No it does not.

[Riggs]

Nice Meter. That reads 50 deg cooler than my head temp meter at same parameters - speed/running time/outside temp. Then again I have my sensor sandwiched between spark plug & head. I read on a few forums on the internet stating that 4 stroke air cooled dirt bikes run between 375 - 475 fahrenheit without oil coolers. Oil coolers well worth it. :tup:

[JerryHawk250]

Nice Meter. That reads 50 deg cooler than my head temp meter at same parameters - speed/running time/outside temp. Then again I have my sensor sandwiched between spark plug & head. I read on a few forums on the internet stating that 4 stroke air cooled dirt bikes run between 375 - 475 fahrenheit without oil coolers. Oil coolers well worth it. :tup:
I ordered one of those sensors but was DOA. I took the Hawk out again today. I pushed it pretty hard today . 60 to 70 mph and the head temperature got up to 302f. Oil temperature got up to 141f. Weather was much cooler today in the lower 70s and felt like It was running lean. Might explain the higher temps . The head and oil temperature did drop back down when I slowed down to the 50s.

[JerryHawk250]

Update on gauge. I found one little issue with the gauge. I went for a little ride late yesterday and when I got home I had let the engine idle for a while just to see how high the temps would go while idling. When it got to 303f the gauge just displayed 3F. So I watched it a little longer and temp kept climbing till it read 24F. I'm like WTF. >:( I was about to ask for a refund on the gauge and return until I read the description on the seller ad. It only displays up to 302F. :doh: My mistake for not catching that. I checked the temps with my heat temp gun and it is accurate 1 degree+-. So anything above 302 will only display 1 or 2 digits. I can live with that. The gauge was designed for oil and water temperature.

[Megadan]

Even if it isn't ideal for head temp, the votmeter and oil temp alone is a nice feature to have on an aircooled bike. It kind of makes me curious as to how effective just one oil cooler is. 146 degree oil temp is bordering the "too cool" side of the operating temperature spectrum lol.

[JerryHawk250]

That's the reason that got it was to have one gauge instead of separate gauges. I wanted everything on one gauge.

[slowroller]

Hey jerry how long are leads to sensors? Might order one for the foxbody turbo ls.

[slowroller]

How is it mounted? 2 sided tape?

[JerryHawk250]

Hey jerry how long are leads to sensors? Might order one for the foxbody turbo ls.
at least 10 to 12' if not longer.

[JerryHawk250]

How is it mounted? 2 sided tape?
2 sided tape.

[SensuBeanCartel]

hey jerry did you ever mount this set up to the tt250 head and the new coolers you have installed, is so please let me know i would be interested in doing the same to my one cooler set up.

[JerryHawk250]

hey jerry did you ever mount this set up to the tt250 head and the new coolers you have installed, is so please let me know i would be interested in doing the same to my one cooler set up.
No I haven't but shouldn't be any different than the Hawk head.

[herbie]

Update on gauge. I found one little issue with the gauge. I went for a little ride late yesterday and when I got home I had let the engine idle for a while just to see how high the temps would go while idling. When it got to 303f the gauge just displayed 3F. So I watched it a little longer and temp kept climbing till it read 24F. I'm like WTF. >:( I was about to ask for a refund on the gauge and return until I read the description on the seller ad. It only displays up to 302F. :doh: My mistake for not catching that. I checked the temps with my heat temp gun and it is accurate 1 degree+-. So anything above 302 will only display 1 or 2 digits. I can live with that. The gauge was designed for oil and water temperature.

Thanks for all the info on this gauge, after shopping around I bought one, I think this one looks like the best quality for the money and 3 functions is a bonus. I plan on using mine for oil temperature, ambient air temp, and volt meter.
Also while doing my searching I see Trail Tech has a digital temp gauge that goes up to 500 degrees and made in the US, but its $50 for one function.

[Blackhawk45]

I'm probably going to get a Trail Tech Vapor for my Hawk. It includes a speedometer, tach, odo, tripmeter and thermometer that goes to 499F. The factory gauge cluster is so inaccurate that I have considered just removing it before I even have a replacement.

[JerryHawk250]

I'm probably going to get a Trail Tech Vapor for my Hawk. It includes a speedometer, tach, odo, tripmeter and thermometer that goes to 499F. The factory gauge cluster is so inaccurate that I have considered just removing it before I even have a replacement.
I had looked at getting the Trail Tech but had already installed the digital cluster. If I had to do it all over again I would that route. Nice having everything on one gauge. Can't complain though. digital cluster is dead on accurate and so is the volt meter/oil/head temp gauge. I took a 128 mile ride Saturday morning before it rained and got too hot. The oil temp hoovered between 165-178. Head temps were 280-324 depending on speed. Most of the trip I was cruising between 55-60 mph which was a slow ride for me. lol I'm usually cruising 60-65mph. lol I just felt like taking my time taking in the scenery. :D I usable average about 65mpg but on Saturday I got 70.18 mpg. It's amazing how much 5 mph slower will save fuel. lol I was going to ride again on Sunday . I put a whopping 3 miles going to the gas station to fuel up but the rain started as soon as I got back to the house so no riding for the day.:ohno:

[JerryHawk250]

I'm probably going to get a Trail Tech Vapor for my Hawk. It includes a speedometer, tach, odo, tripmeter and thermometer that goes to 499F. The factory gauge cluster is so inaccurate that I have considered just removing it before I even have a replacement.

One thing to keep in mind. You will need to get the optional Indicator light dash board as the gauge doesn't come with them. You will lose the fuel gauge and gear indicator too.

[herbie]

I had looked at getting the Trail Tech but had already installed the digital cluster. If I had to do it all over again I would that route. Nice having everything on one gauge. Can't complain though. digital cluster is dead on accurate and so is the volt meter/oil/head temp gauge. I took a 128 mile ride Saturday morning before it rained and got too hot. The oil temp hoovered between 165-178. Head temps were 280-324 depending on speed. Most of the trip I was cruising between 55-60 mph which was a slow ride for me. lol I'm usually cruising 60-65mph. lol I just felt like taking my time taking in the scenery. :D I usable average about 65mpg but on Saturday I got 70.18 mpg. It's amazing how much 5 mph slower will save fuel. lol I was going to ride again on Sunday . I put a whopping 3 miles going to the gas station to fuel up but the rain started as soon as I got back to the house so no riding for the day.:ohno:

165-178 temps, what was the temp outside at the time? I’m curious because I’d like to see what temp mine runs at without an oil cooler for comparison. What weight oil are you running if you don’t mind me asking?
When I get my gauge and install it, I plan on doing a range of tests on temp. First test 15w40, then 20w50, then full synthetic, then full synthetic with a oil additive like Lucas oil supplement. I’m going to record it over time and miles so it will take a while but I’m interested to see how it does

[JerryHawk250]

165-178 temps, what was the temp outside at the time? I’m curious because I’d like to see what temp mine runs at without an oil cooler for comparison. What weight oil are you running if you don’t mind me asking?
When I get my gauge and install it, I plan on doing a range of tests on temp. First test 15w40, then 20w50, then full synthetic, then full synthetic with a oil additive like Lucas oil supplement. I’m going to record it over time and miles so it will take a while but I’m interested to see how it does

Temps were in the low to mid 90's. I run 20w50 Quicksilver Full Synthetic during the summer. 10w40 for the winter. One once of Motorkote.

[Musictrek]

Temps were in the low to mid 90's. I run 20w50 Quicksilver Full Synthetic during the summer. 10w40 for the winter. One once of Motorkote. your video on this came up on my youtube! Nice digital info meter.